Springtime in Baker Park

I was out for a walk in the park and couldn't resist this great photo op!
Click on the photo for a larger view. ~ Darcy

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To suggest additional topics for this blog, to share your photos, or if you have questions, or corrections, e-mail me at darcyrichards01@gmail.com or call my direct line: 240/215-0381. I am a Frederick County Realtor at the RE/MAX Results office, 7210 Corporate Ct, Frederick MD 21703 Main: 301/698-5005. Have fun in Frederick! www.darcyrichards.com

New Sculpture on Carroll Creek

This just appeared a week or so ago on Carroll Creek bridge near Market St. Gorgeous, isn't it! It's a clock and is installed on both sides of the bridge. Kara Norman from Downtown Frederick Partnership says: "The sculpture was planned as a part of the original design of this pedestrian bridge. If you looked closely prior to installation of the artwork,there was a “missing” stone to allow for attachment. The first version of the artwork was not accepted by HPC. The City DED waited a year and re-applied to HPC and received approval. Ironmasters – the firm that made the iron bridge by the Delaplaine as well – created the artwork.

 

Frederick Wrought Iron & Hand-Forged Iron

Frederick is home to some wonderful examples of iron fences, banisters, window boxes, gates, and railings. Some of them are quite old and hand-forged. Most of what we see around town is cast iron design elements welded into steel frames. To help me understand how these railings and fences are created, I talked with Pete Markey who is an extremely creative metal worker from Creative Metal Design who has crafted many metal works of art as well as function. Pete explained how iron works are built and some of that information is found below.  If you want to know more, contact Pete at markey.pete@gmail.com.  Or visit his website.

Before I show you the iron works of Frederick, let me show you one of Pete's installations. This is so whimsical and creative! This tree design stair railing was created for a private home near Ft. Belvoir for a couple who were landscapers and wanted something different for their interior. Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

Pete Markey Hand Wrought Iron Railing - Tree Design

A lot of complex designs you see such as the few leaves and grapes design shown below are cast iron. To create these, they pour the metal in a mold. This method allows for artful and complex pieces that are  less expensive than hand hammering. Sometimes heavier, larger elements such heavier posts, are poured in two pieces and some are bolted together.  Hand rails and frameworks are mostly made of steel. The steel is purchased in 20' lengths from a mill and cut into lengths and bent or cut to length for each project as needed, shaped, and welded together.  Cast iron designs can be used instead of straight pickets to add a decorative touch.  Pete orders some cast iron and steel design elements from catalogs and then welds them into a steel framework. Cast iron is more resistant to rust than steel because of its higher carbon content.  All iron and steel elements have to be treated to keep from rusting., e.g., painted or powder coated.

Here are more examples of iron work around town:

If you click on the photo above you can see that this older fence shows signs of wear and buckling where the half round on top separated from the piece below it. Over time, water freezes in there and causes the uneven appearance.

Some ironwork such as the window box above can be created in one piece using a sheet of steel and a plasma torch that is directed by a computer based template.

Another of Pete Markey's works. The gates at Fairview cemetery in Keedysville, MD

Feel free to contact Pete for more information. You can see samples of Pete Markey's work at http://www.creativemetalmd.com/  Email: markey.pete@gmail.com
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To suggest additional topics for the Talk About Frederick blog, to share your photos, or if you have questions, or corrections, e-mail dgrich002@aol.com or call me at my direct line: 240/215-0381. I am a Frederick County Realtor at the RE/MAX Results® Office: 301/698-5005. Have fun in Frederick! www.darcyrichards.com

Holiday Downtown

 Last in the series for the holiday....scenes from downtown.

 

 

 

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To suggest additional topics for the Talk About Frederick blog, to share your photos, or if you have questions, or corrections, e-mail dgrich002@aol.com or call me at my direct line: 240/215-0381. I am a Frederick County Realtor at the RE/MAX Results® Office: 301/698-5005. Have fun in Frederick! www.darcyrichards.com

More Christmas Decorations

Here are a few more holiday decorations....

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To suggest additional topics for the Talk About Frederick blog, to share your photos, or if you have questions, or corrections, e-mail dgrich002@aol.com or call me at my direct line: 240/215-0381. I am a Frederick County Realtor at the RE/MAX Results® Office: 301/698-5005. Have fun in Frederick! www.darcyrichards.com

Xmas Retail Style

Over the next few weeks, I'll post storefront windows with Christmas decorations. There are some gorgeous windows downtown...

Dancing Bear

Dancing Bear

Zebop

More Zebop

Trail House

Landis Jewelers

To suggest additional topics for this blog, to share your photos, or if you have questions, or  corrections, e-mail dgrich002@aol.com or call me at my direct line: 240/215-0381. I am a Frederick County Realtor at the RE/MAX Results® Office: 301/698-5005. Have fun in Frederick! www.darcyrichards.com